Piezoresistivity of unidirectional carbon/epoxy composites for multiaxial loading

The applied strain of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) is measurable by their electrical resistance changes. For damage monitoring of laminated CFRPs, piezoresistivity strongly affects the measured electrical resistance change through residual strain relief attributable to delamination cracks. Although several studies of CFRP laminates’ piezoresistivity have been published, this study uses single-ply CFRP for specific piezoresistivity measurements in four directions. A review of the theory of in-plane piezoresistivity reveals orthotropic properties of CFRP piezoresistivity. In the present study, piezoresistivity of multiaxial loading is derived, and the unsymmetrical piezoresistivity matrix is calculated using the measured piezoresistivity here. Effects of multiaxial loading in a misaligned unidirectional laminate are also discussed here. The misaligned laminate causes large shrink in the transverse direction during tensile tests; poor electrical contacts at electrodes increases the electric current in the transverse direction; these two effects cause decrease of electrical resistance for the poor electrical contact specimen with large fibre misalignment.     

On the contribution of carbon nanotube deformation to piezoresistivity of carbon nanotube/polymer composites

The change in electrical resistance due to mechanical deformation of carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites can be rationalized in terms of two effects: (i) changes in the composite electrical resistivity due to changes in the CNT network configuration and (ii) deformation of the CNTs themselves. The contribution of CNT dimensional changes (ii) to the piezoresistivity of CNT/polymer composites is investigated here. An analytical model based exclusively on dimensional changes which describes the CNT change of electrical resistance in terms of its mechanical deformation is proposed. A micromechanics approach and finite element analysis are performed to correlate the macroscale composite strain to the individual CNT strain. The CNT change of electrical resistance is quantified for different matrix elastic moduli and CNT weight fractions. The CNT/polymer composite is also modeled as an effective continuum material in terms of both its electrical and mechanical responses so that the effect of dimensional changes on the global piezoresistivity can be investigated. Based on the modeling predictions and previous experimental results, it is estimated that the CNT change of resistance due to the macroscale composite strain is marginal (∼5%) compared to the total composite change of resistance commonly measured in the laboratory, suggesting that the dominant effect in the piezoresistivity of CNT/polymer composites is the change in the CNT network configuration.     

Numerical Simulations on Piezoresistivity of CNT/Polymer Based Nanocomposites

In this work, we propose a 3 dimensional (3D) numerical model to predict the piezoresistivity behaviors of a nanocomposite material made from an insulating polymer filled by carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This material is very hopeful for its application in highly sensitive strain sensor by measuring its piezoresistivity, i.e., the ratio of resistance change versus applied strain. In this numerical approach, a 3D resistor network model is firstly proposed to predict the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite with a large amount of randomly dispersed CNTs under the zero strain state. By focusing on the fact that the piezoresistivity of the nanocomposite sensor is largely influenced by the tunneling effects among neighboring CNTs, we modify this 3D resistor network model by adding the tunneling resistance between those neighboring CNTs within the cut-off distance of tunneling effect, i.e., 1.0 nm in this study. The predicted electrical conductivity by this modified 3D resistor network model is verified experimentally. Furthermore, to analyze the piezoresistivity of the nanocomposite sensor under various strain levels, this modified 3D resistor network model is further combined with a fiber reorientation model, which is used to track the orientation and network change of rigid-body CNTs in the nanocomposite under applied strain. This combined model is employed to predict the piezoresistivity of the nanocomposite iteratively corresponding to various strain levels with the experimental verifications. Some key parameters, which control the piezoresistivity behavior, such as, cross-sectional area of tunnel current, height of barrier, orientation of CNTs, and electrical conductivity of CNTs and other nanofillers, are systematically investigated. The obtained results are very valuable, which can provide guidance for designing the strain sensor of this nanocomposite with enhanced sensitivity.     

碳纤维增强水泥基复合材料的压阻效应

试验研究了短切碳纤维增强水泥基复合材料(CFRC)的压阻效应, 获得了正、负两种压阻效应相互转换的全过程。从隧道效应和孔隙的连通性角度对该现象的产生机理进行了探讨。结果表明, 在连续烘干和单向循环加载条件下, CFRC的压阻效应会随含水量变化而发生改变。多数情况下, CFRC的体积电阻率随压应变单调减少, 压阻效应为正。含水量越少, 正压阻效应越明显。当含水量减少到约3.19%~4.04%的范围时, CFRC的体积电阻率随压应变单调增加, 压阻效应为负。与正压阻效应相比, 负压阻效应表现更强。CFRC的正、负压阻效应及其相互转换是隧道效应和孔隙连通性两方面相互影响的必然结果。      

考虑位置函数的胶合木植筋粘结-滑移关系研究

胶合植筋技术是一种新型的木结构连接技术,具有承载力高、刚度大、美观且防火效果好等优点,已被成功应用于木结构建筑及桥梁领域。木结构植筋与混凝土植筋类似,涉及到3种材料、2个界面,木材-植筋之间的粘结属多重介质间的粘结问题。木结构植筋节点是否具备良好的结构性能,除了各材料的基本性能有保证外,另外就是界面是否具备良好的粘结性能。该文基于三折线粘结-滑移关系模型,推导了植筋应力、界面粘结应力及相对滑移沿锚固长度分布的解析解,并与试验结果对比,结果表明,理论值与试验值吻合良好。通过实测加载过程中植筋内部的应变及加载端植筋与木材之间的相对滑移,研究了植筋-木材之间的粘结应力及相对滑移沿锚固长度的分布规律,最终建立了考虑位置函数的胶合木植筋粘结滑移关系。     

Creep of electrical resistance under uniaxial pressures for carbon black–silicone rubber composite

A composite comprised of dispersed conductive particles in an insulating polymer matrix is an excellent sensing material and could be used in flexible pressure sensors and tactile sensors. In this study, we investigated the variation of electrical resistance as a function of pressure for carbon black–silicone rubber composite. Samples were fabricated with different carbon black volume fractions. From experimental results, it was found that the composite has not only piezoresistivity but also electrical resistance creep behavior, which illustrates the relationship between electrical resistance and time. To describe and predict the above two phenomena, a mathematical model was established for particles filled polymer composites. When the piezoresistive composite was applied as a pressure-sensing unit, errors were seen due to “resistance creep” behavior. Based on this study, a method to inhibit such errors were investigated, developed, and realized.     

Spatially resolved self-sensing of strain and damage in carbon fiber cement

Spatially resolved self-sensing of strain and damage has been shown in carbon fiber cement under flexure by three-point bending. This involves measurement of the one-dimensional distribution of the DC electrical resistance by the use of surface electrical contacts on the bottom (tension) and top (compression) surfaces. For a span of 290 mm, a spatial resolution of 5 mm has been attained. The bottom surface resistance, which increases reversibly with strain and increases irreversibly with damage, is a more effective indicator of strain and damage (in combination) than the top surface resistance, the oblique resistance or the through-thickness resistance for spatially resolved self-sensing. For sensing without spatial resolution, the oblique resistance is the most effective indicator. For sensing with distinction between strain and damage, the top surface resistance is the most effective indicator.     

树脂基搭接碳纤维智能层的力阻特性

提出一种具有局部搭接结构的树脂基碳纤维智能层, 将其敷设于结构表面以检测结构受载时的变形, 实现对结构大范围监测。基于该智能层, 采用单轴拉伸和三点弯曲的加载方式, 对构件进行应变和位移检测。实验发现, 碳纤维局部搭接结构是引起力阻效应的主要因素, 其单位应变的电阻率变化的灵敏度达到104, 相当于非搭接连续碳纤维复合材料力阻效应灵敏度的34倍。实验结果还进一步表明, 树脂基搭接碳纤维智能层力阻曲线光滑稳定, 其传感极限约为8500 με。建立了树脂基搭接碳纤维复合材料的电学模型, 揭示了这种力阻效应主要来源于搭接界面处层间电阻的变化, 并从纤维轴向力、搭接面积和层间剪应变三个方面解释了这种层间电阻变化的机制。      

Seismic performance of precast concrete frames with debonded reinforcement

This paper utilizes experimental and numerical studies to investigate the seismic behavior of precast concrete frames. The system is composed of monolithic columns and composite precast concrete beams with debonded reinforcement at the beam end, with the purpose of distributing plasticity over a larger rebar length to improve the seismic performance of traditional precast concrete frames. Two half scale precast concrete frames, with and without debonded rebar, were tested under quasi-static cyclic lateral load. The observations during the test, load–displacement curves, stiffness, energy dissipating capacity and rebar strain are discussed. The experimental findings demonstrate that rebar debonding lead to reduced strain in tensile reinforcement. The decrease in strain due to the debonded rebar was 40.2% at a drift ratio of 1%. The performance of the specimens was evaluated according to ACI 374, which demonstrates that this precast system is applicable to seismic regions. In the numerical simulation study, a macro-based finite element (FE) model was developed using fiber-section beam-column element with a modified rebar constitutive model to take into account the effect of rebar buckling. The feasibility of the FE model was verified by comparing with the experimental data.     

干湿变化对多壁碳纳米管/水泥砂浆压阻效应的影响

通过四次烘干和三次吸湿试验,考察了湿度变化对多壁碳纳米管复合水泥砂浆(MWCNTs/CM)的电阻和压阻效应的影响,并与素水泥砂浆(CM)进行对比。结果表明:在试件湿度较大时,烘干和吸湿对MWCNTs/CM和CM电阻的影响较小,而当试件湿度较低时(第三次烘干及第一次吸湿后,湿度变化比低于1%时),电阻随着湿度的降低突然增加,并且湿度变化对CM电阻的影响程度显著高于MWCNTs/CM。同样,当试件湿度较大时,烘干和吸湿对MWCNTs/CM和CM压阻效应的影响较小,当试件湿度较低时(在第三次烘干后),CM和MWCNTs/CM的压阻效应显著增强,并且湿度变化对CM压阻效应的影响显著高于MWCNTs/CM。研究还表明,在湿度变化量大致相同时,吸湿过程中CM和MWCNTs/CM达到渗流阈值附近时压阻效应高于烘干过程。最后,初步探讨了MWCNTs/CM压阻效应随湿度变化的作用机理,给出了MWCNTs/CM压阻效应随湿度变化的等效电路模型。     

磁致链化对磁流变弹性体压阻效应的影响

为研究磁流变弹性体(Magneto-Rheological Elastomer,MRE)压阻效应机制及其影响因素,基于场致发射效应机制,结合均匀型与磁致链化型MRE结构特点,分别建立了两类镍粉填充液态硅橡胶型MRE的导电模型,得出了相应的MRE端面电阻表达式,分析了镍粉质量分数、测试电压对两类MRE阻值的影响;在零场下制备了均匀型MRE,在匀强磁场下制备了磁致链化型MRE,对两类MRE的压阻特性进行了系统测试;通过分析比较两类MRE的正压力与电阻对数的映射关系,验证了理论模型的合理性;相比于均匀型MRE样品的高阻抗和较小的阻值变化范围,在0~6kPa压力下,磁致链化型MRE样品阻值变化区间为10~106Ω,在触觉传感应用中具有更好的适用性。     

Crack profile in RC,R/FRCC and R/HPFRCC members in tension

The theoretical approaches used for the evaluation of crack width in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, are generally based on the hypothesis of parallel crack surfaces. In this way, crack width measured on the concrete cover should be equal to that on the bar surface. The results of several experimental analyses, developed during the past years in many Research Institutes, do not justify this assumption. On the contrary, even in RC members under tensile actions, crack width appears wider on external surface than on rebar–concrete interface. To better define the effective crack profile of RC structures, a new model, able to analyze the whole structural response of RC ties, is here presented. In the proposed approach, all the physical phenomena involved in the cracking process are taken into account: the bond-slip behavior between steel rebar and tensile concrete, the nonlinear fracture mechanics of concrete in tension, and the mechanism of aggregate interlock. Crack profiles computed with this model seem to be in accordance with those experimentally measured in RC elements in tension. A good agreement between numerical results and experimental data is also found both in case of steel rebar and ordinary fiber reinforced cementitious composites (R/FRCC), and in case of steel rebar and high?performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites (R/HPFRCC).     

Cementitious bond degradation during cyclic shear loading, studied by contact electrical resistance measurement

Degradation of the cementitious bond between steel rebar and concrete and that between old and new mortar under cyclic shear loading was observed nondestructively by measuring the contact electrical resistance of the joint. Degradation, which caused a decrease in bond strength but no visual damage, was indicated by an abrupt increase in the resistance at a small fraction of the fatigue life. Bond failure was also accompanied by an abrupt increase in resistance.     

炭黑填充型导电复合材料的压阻计算模型及实验验证

为研究新型传感器材料,在通用有效介质理论的基础上,提出了炭黑填充型导电复合材料的压阻特性数学计算模型,定量地得出炭黑颗粒的基本特征参数、体积分数和聚合物基体的弹性模量在复合材料压阻规律中的影响。分别以硅橡胶和高密度聚乙烯为基体相,三种不同粒径的炭黑为导电相,制备了炭黑填充型复合材料,对计算模型进行了实验验证。在炭黑颗粒分布均匀、炭黑体积分数在渗流阈值附近和外加压力≤2 MPa等三个边界条件下,数学计算模型与实验结果基本吻合,且压力-电阻变化规律一致。      

MODE II STABLE CRACK GROWTH

Abstract Mode II stable crack extension has been examined for an aircraft grade aluminium alloy D16AT. Both theoretical and experimental results are presented. The experimental observations include load displacement diagrams, plastic wake, crack front tunnelling and scanning electron micrographs of the fracture surfaces. The crack shows a tendency for in-plane extension, and the fracture surface is very flat, smooth and free of any dimples. The crack front advances with neghgible tunnelling at all stages of extension. The span of mode II stable crack growth (SCG) is longer than in the case of mode I SCG reported earlier for the same material and there is also more extensive plastic deformation. In the presence of a slight mode I load, the crack grows out-of-plane and the fractured surface facets resemble that of a mode I or mixed-mode dimpled fracture. The theoretical study is based on a finite element analysis using small deformation theory and incremental plasticity. Some of the experimental results have been theoretically predicted using the COA criterion as the governing criterion. The theoretical results include load-displacement diagrams, crack edge displacement curves, plastic zones and the J resistance curves. There is good agreement between the load-displacement diagrams. The initiation and maximum loads differ by less than 15%. The J resistance curve has a constant slope over the whole span of stable crack growth.     

Carbon-Coated-Nylon-Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites as an Intrinsically Smart Concrete for Damage Assessment during Dynamic Loading

Concrete containing short carbon-coated-nylon fibers (0.4～2.0 vol. pct) exhibited quasi-ductile response by developing a large damage zone prior to fracture localization. In the damage zone, the material was microcracked but continued to local strain-harden. The carbon-coated-nylon-fiber-reinforced concrete composites (NFRC) were found to be an intrinsically smart concrete that could sense elastic and inelastic deformation, as well as fracture. The fibers served to bridge the cracks and the carbon coating gave the conduction path. The signal provided came from the change in electrical resistance, which was reversible for elastic deformation and irreversible for inelastic deformation and fracture. The resistance decrease was due to the reduction of surface touch resistance between fiber and matrix and the crack closure. The resistance irreversible increase resulted from the crack opening and breakage of the carbon coating on nylon fiber.     

Negative piezoresistivity in continuous carbon fiber epoxy-matrix composite

The negative and positive piezoresistivity in continuous carbon fiber epoxy-matrix composite has been clarified. The negative piezoresistivity associated with the increase of the through-thickness resistivity upon longitudinal tension and decrease in the through-thickness resistivity upon longitudinal compression is practically attractive for strain sensing and is attributed to the decrease in the degree of contact between fibers of adjacent laminae upon longitudinal tension. This effect is stronger, more reversible and less prone to causing minor damage for the tension case than the compression case. The positive piezoresistivity associated with the longitudinal resistivity increasing upon longitudinal tension is negligibly weak, if any, independent of the number of laminae. The previously reported negative piezoresistivity associated with the longitudinal resistivity decreasing upon longitudinal tension does not occur for a commercially manufactured composite in which the fibers are well aligned.     

化爆作用下FRP加固RC板的试验研究及动力响应分析

我国20世纪60年代、70年代修建的大量防护工程抗力等级较低,急需进行加固补强。进行了化爆作用下,外贴FRP条带加固钢筋混凝土(RC)双向板抗爆性能的试验研究。按介质-结构相互作用理论确定结构的爆炸冲击荷载,建立了加固板的三折线弯曲抗力模型,利用虚功原理建立了加固RC板的运动微分方程,按数值方法求解了外贴FRP加固双向板在化爆冲击波作用下的动力响应时程,分析结果与试验结果吻合较好。研究结果表明:外贴FRP条带加固可以有效延缓混凝土的开裂、限制裂缝的开展,提高RC双向板的刚度,减小结构位移,减轻结构破坏程度,外贴FRP加固RC双向板的抗爆炸冲击波能力得到了明显提高,外贴FRP条带在极限状态时发生了剥离破坏和断裂破坏。     

Electrical characteristics and pressure-sensitive response measurements of carboxyl MWNT/cement composites

In this study, electrical characteristics of pressure-sensitive carboxyl multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cement composites with and without compressive loading were investigated. Experimental results indicate that the carboxyl MWNT/cement composites have both resistance and capacitance characteristics. Capacitance is insensitive to compressive loading, but the charging of the capacitor causes a linear increase in the measured resistance during DC measurement. The reversible pressure-sensitive responses of resistance to compressive loading can be extracted by removing the linear increase component. An AC measurement method can also be used to eliminate the effect of capacitor charging and discharging on the pressure-sensitive responses of carboxyl MWNT/cement composites.     

Behavior of square concrete columns reinforced with Prefabricated Cage System

Behavior of normal strength concrete columns reinforced with a new reinforcement, termed Prefabricated Cage System (PCS) is investigated. A total of 16 small-scale PCS and rebar reinforced column specimens were constructed and tested under monotonic axial displacement. The experimental results indicate that the overall behavior of rebar and PCS reinforced specimens are comparable prior to achieving the peak column load. In general, PCS specimens are more ductile and absorb more energy than similar rebar specimens after the peak load is reached. The effect of different parameters, such as the steel tube thickness, number of longitudinal reinforcements, transverse steel spacing, and crossties on the specimens’ strength and deformation capacity are investigated. A confined concrete model is proposed and used to predict the load–displacement response. The theoretical load–displacement relations obtained from the proposed model are compared with those obtained from the Mander et al. (J Struct Eng 114(8):1804–1826, 1988) confinement model.